Friends, colleagues mourn death of Birmingham men who died in northern Michigan plane crash

Those who knew two Birmingham men who died in a single-engine plane crash Monday in northern Michigan are still in shock and waiting to mourn the “creative” and “vivacious” couple, according to friends.

“Neither one of them really ever had a bad thing to say about anyone,” said Ann DeLodder, who worked with one of the men and knew the pair well. “They were two great spirits … we were lucky to have two guys like that on this Earth.”

Christopher Neumann, 38, and his partner Todd Glen Lloyd, 51, died sometime after 7 a.m. Monday. The single-engine, fixed-wing Mooney M20R that was carrying them to the Oakland-Troy Airport crashed in a wooded area just five miles from Boyne City Municipal Airport, which is about 45 miles northeast of Traverse City.

The Federal Aviation Administration lists the cause of the crash as unknown, and officials have noted that the National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, has since taken the lead on the investigation, which could last months. Lloyd owned Madison Heights-based Chair Covers and Linens — or Chair Covers, Inc. — which the Mooney was registered to.

Peter Knudson, spokesman for the NTSB, said the plane, which did not have its flight plan activated, crashed almost immediately after takeoff.

“We have an investigator from Chicago who will be flying to the area (Wednesday), and will be on-scene Thursday morning,” said Knudson. “We’ll have a preliminary report within 10 business days.”

Neumann primarily worked with the social media teams at public relations firm Weber Shandwick and did a great deal of video production with General Motors communication team.

Marirose Lula, a former colleague of Neumann’s, said the 38-year-old was a wonderful person, a fine colleague.

“Both he and his partner Todd will be missed,” she said.

DeLodder, who worked with Neumann for nearly 20 years, said he was much more than a colleague. They met when Neumann came to work with DeLodder, a General Motors communications professional whose company contracted with the firm.

The pair instantly bonded and became good friends, DeLodder said through tears, noting Neumann was always willing to help anyone.

“He would bend over backwards to make sure everyone was good,” she said.

Eventually, she met Lloyd, Neumann’s partner, who she said was “equally as great of a guy.

“We became friends through Chris — he was a gem of a man.”

DeLodder added that the couple had been together seven years, and were a great pair. Both were car buffs, she said — especially Neumann.

“Besides loving life to the fullest ... they liked anything with an engine,” said DeLodder. “They had about eight cars between the two of them, along with Chris’ boats, the plane, and an RV.”

Lloyd, who graduated from Clare High School in 1980, was also president and owner of Top That! Event, a professional bridal and event company based in Livonia. Between the full-service event firm and Chair Covers and Linens, Lloyd owned 10 offices across the nation, DeLodder said.

“Todd had just received a lifetime achievement award last month from Michigan Meeting and Events (magazine), which was pretty prestigious,” she added.

Lloyd had a great sense of humor and loved to make others laugh, friend Janet Sowle said Tuesday.

Sowle, who graduated from Clare High School with Lloyd, said he was goal-oriented and had the drive to do whatever he wanted to do in life.

“Todd was always a go-getter,” Sowle said. “If he had a dream or a thought to do something, he was driven to do it.”

Lloyd helped others when they needed help and always helped people get further ahead, Sowle said.

He was creative, talented and had a great sense of humor, she said.

Friends of Lloyd posted several messages on his Facebook page following his death, expressing sadness and shock. Many people also left condolence messages on the Chair Covers and Linens Facebook page.

Chair Covers and Linens honored him on both the company’s website and social media, calling Lloyd “our leader, friend and hero.”

Brennan Donovan, director and vice president of both companies, said Lloyd — who was piloting the plane Monday — was a very accomplished aviator whom he had flown with “more times than I can count.

“I never had any concern with his skill,” Donovan said.

Lloyd was a man who enjoyed giving, said the vice president.

“I think his kindness translated into personal and financial success,” Donovan added. “His personality came first, and I think that’s why he was so successful.”

Neumann’s family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, between Maple and Big Beaver, for more information, call 248-362-2500. Lloyd’s visitation and funeral services will be held Thursday and Friday in Clare at a location to be decided by his family.